By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois’ senior U.S. Senator is crediting McLean County Democrats for providing new faces and new energy into the party that helped lead to the election of a Democratic governor.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) on Friday evening visited the new local Democratic Party headquarters in Downtown Bloomington.

Democrats won the governor’s race, unseated three McLean County Board Republicans, and lifted Congressional candidate Betsy Dirksen Londrigan to a near upset of GOP incumbent Rodney Davis.

“That is what was the key to our victory November 6 was just so many new people, determined people, came forward and made a big, big difference, and elected a new governor for our state,” said Durbin.

Durbin spoke glowingly of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s first weeks in office, saying he met with Pritzker the night before.

“I told him, ‘your transition has been beautiful, the team that you’ve put together is a great team. You’ve got your hands full in terms of challenges with what they call Rauner’s wreckage,’ but he’s up to it.”

“The good news is I’ve talked to Republican leaders, I won’t name names, who’ve said, ‘We’ve been waiting for somebody to sit down and work with,”‘ Durbin said.

As for Durbin’s own political future, he said no incumbent likes a primary, but he’s ready for a challenge from the left after newly-elected State Representative Anne Stava-Murray of Naperville indicated she will challenge him for the Democratic nomination next year.

“It’s a free country,” said Durbin.

“Most people don’t like elections when they’re in office, but I welcome it. It really is an opportunity to work the state,” Durbin also said.

Durbin has not officially announced he’s running for a fifth, six-year term. He was first elected to the Senate in 1996.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]